Texas Christian University, Brown-Lupton Student Center
Fort Worth, Texas
This spectacular academic center represents ccrd’s continuing commitment to creative solutions through collaborative teaming. Our engineering firm has been championing sustainable design since its inception. The 174,000 square foot Brown-Lupton Student Center is a “permeable” building with two through-passageways and multiple entrances and exits. The central corridor runs from Stadium Drive to the green. There are lounges, a TCU Heritage Center, a copy center, a convenience store, a post office, specialty retail and retail food services with indoor and outdoor seating, even a sports-style restaurant.
A large suite of offices and workspace for Student Government and student organizations on the first floor includes a spacious outdoor patio. A 350-seat great hall provides space for films, lectures and concerts. Construction of the new University Union incorporated many initiatives, construction materials and practices. These included use of paints low in volatile organic compounds, which can diminish air quality, carpeting made of recycled materials, and environmentally friendly building materials and finishes. The demolition of the original Student Center resulted in 92% of the debris being recycled.
A student governance chamber, multiple lounges, seminar/conference rooms and a large ballroom with pre-function space make up most of the third floor. The Chancellor’s Dining Room on this level is attached to a spacious reception area, which opens onto an outdoor terrace. The building is crowned by a five-story bell tower, and the Commons side is lined with fully Arcadian walkways. In keeping with the pedestrian nature of the Commons, three open-air amphitheaters; one seating 200-300, two seating 50-60, can accommodate events, productions and concerts.
Making sure sustainability is foundational in institutional design will allow more and more campuses to expand without increasing its carbon footprint. This is just one example of ccrd’s innovative, green problem solving.
Architect: Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford
Owner: Texas Christian University
Project Size: 174,000 sf
Completion: 2008
Construction Cost: $41M
Scope of Services
Mechanical
Electrical
Plumbing
Fire Protection
Specifications